20 years on, JOE takes a look at the career of F1 legend Ayrton Senna

20 years ago today the Brazilian F1 legend Ayrton Senna died at the San Marino Grand Prix. So JOE is taking a look back at F1 World Champion's career in the sport...

On this very day back in 1994, Formula 1 was dealt a massive blow that no one could have expected; one that still resinates throughout the sport today. The three time world champion and ultimate playboy of the racing world, Ayrton Senna, died after losing control of his Williams FW16, only to crash the car into a concrete wall during lap seven of the San Marino Grand Prix. The race should have been cancelled after the Austrian driver Roland Ratzenberger perished during qualifying the day before. However, race officials deemed the show must go on, and so it did, but at a devastating price. On lap seven, the Brazilian three-time world champion Ayrton Senna entered the high-speed Tamburello corner only to skid off the track and into a concrete wall. Ayrton hit the wall at 135mph and was killed instantly. The Brazilian always carried a Brazilian flag with him, which he waved around in the car whenever he finished a race (see below). However, when race officials reached Ayrton’s destroyed car they found a small Austrian flag, which Senna would have waved in memory of Ratzenberger who died the day before.

Senna with the famous flag

The Brazilian was airlifted to Bologna's Maggiore Hospital, but he was unfortunately declared dead upon arrival. Senna was regarded as a true hero in his home country and his ability to win races week-in week-out, helped to lift the spirits of an impoverished Brazil. Three days of official mourning were declared in the country following his death and it is estimated that three million people showed up to his funeral in São Paulo to pay their respects. The life, career and death of Senna were beautifully captured in the 2010 Bafta winning documentary called Senna, and if you haven’t already we definitely recommend that you watch it...

These days, the Senna family name lives on in the world of motor racing with Ayrton’s nephew Bruno who is currently working with Sky Sports F1. Here’s a look at a few of Senna’s most iconic moments and pictures from the racing legend's life... F1 debut: Monaco 1984

Clash of the Titans: Alain Prost, driving the Marlboro McLaren-Honda MP4/5, controversially collides with his teammate Senna during the Japanese Grand Prix on 22 October 1989:

Revenge is a dish best served cold: Senna gets revenge on Prost after switching teams in 1990.

Give us a lift! 1991 British Grand Prix, Senna gets a lift back to the pits from race winner Nigel Mansell.

No man left behind: 1992 Belgian Grand Prix, Senna gets out to see if colleague Erik Comas is okay following a nasty crash.

Senna’s final race: The aftermath of Senna's San Marino crash in 1994.